TPDGR 16

Chapter 16 ……

“How were you born? Was there a being that conceived you? It’s been well over a hundred years since the gates appeared, yet from the existence of another human world to your very being, there are still far too many unknowns. Do you know anything more?”

Han Hyunjin spoke with a serious face.

Honestly, I was also surprised when I first glimpsed the parts of this novel’s worldbuilding that hadn’t been revealed.

The world Griffith and Joanna live in.
The tyranny happening across every world.
The power-hungry rulers blinded by greed weren’t limited to the Hunter Association.

All worlds, all universes were rotten. Needless to say, so were the dungeons.

Since the world kept expanding infinitely, Han Hyunjin seemed to suspect that I wasn’t just an ordinary dungeon boss, but a special kind of existence.

Well… he wasn’t wrong.

But that didn’t mean he would take my words about being a possessor or whatever at face value.

I quietly thought over what kind of answer would be most advantageous to me.

If I claimed I was closer to a human being, then, knowing Han Hyunjin’s personality, he probably wouldn’t recklessly attack me.

As I was lost in my cold, calculating thoughts, Han Hyunjin asked:

“Is it difficult for you to talk about it?”

“Yeah.”

I needed to give the kind of answer that was pragmatic, that would let me exploit him if necessary—so that both I and the people here could survive.

But Han Hyunjin must have interpreted my words differently, because his expression softened a little as he said:

“If you tell me, I’ll bring you something tastier than kimbap next time.”

“…Are you trying to tame me?”

Seriously, does this guy think I’m fine with anything as long as there’s food?

…He’s not wrong, though.

In the end, Han Hyunjin and I couldn’t continue talking. Griffith, Joanna, and the other villagers—who had heard belatedly—came rushing out.

Ever since the incident where I collapsed vomiting blood, the villagers had been full of resentment toward Han Hyunjin.

So, unable to satisfy his curiosity, Han Hyunjin eventually left.

The children and I returned all the way back to the Demon King’s Castle.

“Even if he did carry the unconscious Demon King back, we still can’t let our guard down around him!”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it already. Stop nagging.”

Not only Griffith, but also the orcs, Joanna, Gyu, and even the puppet troupe parents were treating me like some child left unattended by the river.

Why? Did I ever show them a weak side?

Grumbling, I signaled the kids as soon as we entered the castle.

“Don’t you dare mention that I ate something weird.”

“Of course, Master.”

The kids, catching my look, nodded firmly with determined faces. The pork cutlet kimbap must have been pretty tasty to them too.

“Your body is already unwell, and yet you were outside for so long. I greatly worry you’ll fall ill.”

“Griffith, who says my body is unwell? I’m perfectly healthy, can’t you see?”

I flexed my arm, showing off my flawless forearm muscles, but Griffith only shook his head with a troubled look.

“That hunter man keeps visiting. I fear for you. You mustn’t continue associating with him.”

No need to worry about that.

I didn’t plan to get any closer to Han Hyunjin either.

I’ll just drink some fishcake soup off him once, and that’ll be the end of it.

Just because Han Hyunjin had softened toward me didn’t mean I wanted to deepen our relationship.

Why? Because I’m the Demon King.

A dungeon boss and a hunter whose role is to slay bosses? That’s way too distant a relationship to ever become friendly.

“Please, I beg you. Promise me you won’t get further involved with that man.”

“Fine, fine. I promise.”

As if I’d ever find that guy endearing in my eyes!

Meanwhile, Joanna approached to take care of the children.

“Your Majesty, we’ll take our leave now, so please rest well tonight.”

“Very well.”

When the noisy crowd dispersed, quiet finally settled over the Demon King’s Castle.

The only ones who actually lived in the castle were me, and Gyu, who shared my surname.

Sometimes Gyu stayed with me, but ever since the dungeon got more crowded, he often slept in the village instead.

He must have gone to the village tonight too, because the castle was left with only me.

After everyone left, I quietly gazed up at the ceiling.

Finally, some peace.

“Shall I get on with what I need to do?”

Lights flickered on throughout the dim castle.

I slowly climbed to the topmost floor of the Demon King’s Castle.

There was still unfinished business.

Originally, I was supposed to do this after dealing with my bloody coughing fit, but things had gotten hectic.

At the spire-like top of the castle was a small attic.

From its window, one could look down upon the dungeon from the highest vantage point.

I’d thought the land looked vast enough when I viewed it from my own room’s window.

But from the very top, the dungeon seemed entirely different.

I could even see beyond the village where people lived.

Mist-shrouded spaces came into view.

“So that’s the hidden area, huh.”

As I murmured, a glowing blue window appeared before my eyes.

[Keyword: Rise in Public Sentiment!
‘Public Sentiment’ has increased slightly.
Status abnormality: Hemoptysis is progressing.]

[Reward: You have obtained a ‘New Map.’
Expand your dungeon using the map.]

Rustling, I pulled out a faded yellow sheet of paper from my robes.

A map, a hundred years old.

At the very center stood the Demon King’s Castle.
Below it were residences for monsters.
In the corner to the left, a gate was marked beneath a hill.

And then…

“There’s a mine and a forest up north?”

The map showed places beyond just the Demon King’s Castle and the village.

“Pfft.”

Heh.

“Hahaha.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked closely at the spots marked with an X.

The corners of my lips twitched on their own.

For a simple reason.

“A mine! A mine, of all things!”

In romance-fantasy novels, mines were like cheat codes for becoming rich.

Gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, and more!

Surely it was brimming with expensive ores!

I leapt up onto the top floor’s railing and threw my head back, laughing to the sky.

I was going to be filthy rich!

Hahaha!

It almost felt like I could hear the trumpets of blessing in my ears.

“Hahahahaha!”

Ha… haha… ha…

Hearing the booming laughter echo across the entire dungeon, Orc No. 1 tilted his head. The sound came from the Demon King’s Castle.

“Why’s His Majesty laughing like that in the middle of the night?”

“Who knows. Must be something good.”

The orcs, gathered to eat grilled blood-eyes for a midnight snack, whispered to each other.

“The only thing that happened today was that hunter guy visiting, wasn’t it? Why would that make him laugh?”

“Beats me. Just eat. We’ve got work tomorrow.”

It was the first time the Demon King laughed so uproariously at night, but then again, he was always unpredictable.

The orcs shrugged and kept preparing their late-night meal.

“Still, His Majesty really keeps us on our toes. Suddenly collapsing and vomiting blood, for one thing.”

“You’re telling me.”

“Later, I should go through the gate and bring back ingredients that are good for restoring stamina.”

“Good idea.”

“…Kururu… piyo… piyo…”

“Hey, he’s asleep. Cover him up.”

Orc No. 2 tucked a blanket over Gyu’s head, who had dozed off.

Even after the three orcs finished eating, the Demon King’s wild laughter continued.

“Hahahaha! Hahahaha!”

And so, while Ana embraced dreams of becoming rich, the night grew deeper.